Latest Score: Republic of Ireland 0 Turkey 0
Brian Kerr handed Newcastle defender Andy O'Brien a golden opportunity to cement a starting position against Switzerland next month by naming him in the starting XI to face Turkey at Lansdowne Road.
With captain Kenny Cunningham suspended for the Euro 2004 showdown in Basle, and so rested for tonight's game, Kerr is expected to opt for either Richard Dunne or O'Brien for a starting role in the heart of defence alongside Gary Breen on October 11th.
Although Dunne has more than double the international caps of O'Brien - O'Brien will win his eighth cap tonight - the latter's solid club form has stood him in good stead in Kerr's eyes and is tonight presented with a tremendous opportunity to secure his place for next month's crucial qualifier.
Up front, Kerr has, as expected, chosen Tottenham's Gary Doherty and David Connolly to spearhead the Irish attack. Doherty failed to make an impact when sprung from the bench late-on against Russia but should stamp his authority on the less physically imposing Turks.
Damien Duff, so creative against the Russians despite playing out of position, reverts back to the middle of the park where it is expected he will adopt the 'free role' he has revelled on occasions while wearing the green jersey. Kerr, however, is also keen to experiment by playing the Chelsea star down the right flank.
Injured trio John O'Shea, Lee Carsley and Shay Given and Cunningham all returned to their clubs at the weekend and will play no part in tonight's game. Kerr is expected to have the remainder of the squad available on the bench. The FAI has confirmed that match tickets for tonight's game will be on sale from caravans outside the ground.
Turkey, meanwhile, fielded a strong starting line-up, including seven of those who played at the Stadium of Light against England in the Euro 2004 qualifier earlier this year.
Rep of Ireland: Colgan, Finnan, O'Brien, Breen, Harte, Healy, Kinsella, Duff, Kilbane, Connolly, Doherty. Subs: Murphy, Carr, Dunne, Holland, McPhail, Quinn, Reid, Morrison, Crowe.
Turkey: Rustu, Emre, Korkmaz, Aykel, Alpay, Penbe, Tugay, Sukur, Sanli, Tayfun, Sas. Subs: Catkic, Buruk, Metin, Yildirim, Karadeniz, Yilmaz, Baris, Uzulmez, Davala, Ozgultekin.